Masi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the biomass industry presents a great opportunity for the Northwest Territories. In May of this year, Aurora Wood Pellets got a legal title to 2.2 hectares of land in the Deh Cho, near Enterprise. Mr. Speaker, I've been a major supporter of biomass initiatives. Land tenure was a huge step towards developing a wood pellet plant in our region.

Mr. Speaker, a wood pellet plant would create much-needed jobs and help develop the local and regional workforce. The pellet mill is expected to produce at least 150,000 cubic metres of pellets each year and create 45 to 50 jobs, plus additional work for truck drivers and other spinoffs. The South Slave boasts excellent forest resources. Processing black wood for pellets is another way to benefit from the forest fires that swept through the area two years ago.

Mr. Speaker, community involvement and support is essential to Aurora Wood Pellets becoming a viable contributor to our economy. I encourage the Government of the Northwest Territories to do all it can to support stakeholders in establishing a wood pellet plant. New forest management legislation is needed to recognize the opportunities we have related to biomass and non-timber forest products in the NWT and the role of First Nations and all residents are stewards of the land.

Mr. Speaker, I remain hopeful that an agreement between Fort Providence and Aurora Wood Pellets can be reached. Meanwhile, I'm pleased that Fort Resolution has reached an agreement on timber supply and the community can look forward to the benefits of the proposed wood pellet mill.

Mr. Speaker, I applaud the determination and effort behind Aurora Wood Pellets' pursuit of this project and the community's willingness to come to the table. Mr. Speaker, it is our chance to diversify a sustainable economy and show the North and the rest of Canada what a success our biomass industry can be. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I'd like to share with the elders who are watching across the Northwest Territories about the Senior Home Heating Subsidy. Mr. Speaker, winter has arrived here in all the communities across the Northwest Territories. Heavy snowfall and sudden drop in the temperature ended the moderate autumn and reminded us that we live in the Northwest Territories.

With the days getting shorter and the snow piling higher and the mercury dropping, I want to make sure that NWT residents know about the Senior Home Heating Subsidy. This program is run by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and helps elders and seniors aged 60 years or older access funds to reduce home heating costs. This can include funds to purchase cut wood, electricity, natural gas, propane and/or fuel oil, as well as newer and environmentally-friendly options like wood pellets.

If a resident is 60 years or older, owns and lives in their own home, meets a household income test and is not receiving income assistance, this program may work for them. You can complete an application or learn more about the program at the local ECE service centre.

Through the cold dark winters, sufficient home heating is an absolute necessity; there's no two ways about it, Mr. Speaker. If residents are starting to worry about paying their heating bills as colder temperatures set in, I encourage them to contact the local ECE staff to access these funds. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my Member's statement is on Drop the Pop Campaign, an Education, Culture and Employment program. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to announce that back in June of 2016, the Fort Good Hope Chief T’Selehye School won the contest. Drop the Pop is an annual campaign that encourages students, families, schools and communities to drink healthy beverages, especially water; eat a wide variety of healthy, local foods from the land. It also encourages long-term health food intakes so families can maintain and or improve their overall well-being.

Mr. Speaker, this year's theme is "Celebrating Successes," marking 10 years of school in the NWT encouraging healthy behaviours to students, like reducing the consumption of pop and other sugary beverages. Schools have until November 21, 2016, to apply for the necessary funds to pursue this campaign in their community. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I must paint a dark picture for you and for my colleagues. We are often told that Canada's northern territories have the highest rates of domestic and family violence; the second-highest in the country. We also know that in violent relationships, women are most likely to experience the most severe forms of spousal assault and three times more likely than men to report being sexually assaulted, beaten, choked, or threatened with a gun or knife. Women are also more likely to experience chronic domestic violence over multiple incidents and to be physically injured when this violence occurs. But are we becoming numb to these statistics?

Let's consider what these rates really mean in practical terms. If 100,000 Canadians gathered together, 594 women would have reported intimate partner violence to the police at least once. But, when you compare that rate to the Northwest Territories, that number jumps to 3,536 women. Northern researchers have also shown that Indigenous women are often more likely to be subject to intimate partner violence.

Western society shows an inherent disregard for women and girls and, further, NWT's specific problems drive these terrible statistics, including the intergenerational and ongoing impacts of colonization, and residential school, and inadequate and overcrowded housing. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you colleagues. To address these NWT-specific problems, we need an NWT-specific program, and, Mr. Speaker, I believe we've found that in the work of the A New Day program administered by the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre here, in Yellowknife. This pilot project was built on 10 years of research and advocacy by the Coalition Against Family Violence, and it was designed specifically based on engagement with the NWT women to help men heal and to prevent further violence.

This program has been praised by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The NWT also included it in their report under response to calls to action identified by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The Tree of Peace reports that every one of the program's 300-plus clients attended residential school or has a family member who did. We can't be blind to these connections.

As my colleague said in his recent motion, violence against women will not end until those individuals who commit such acts are equipped to choose and do choose another path. A New Day is a valuable tool in our territories' fight to end domestic and family violence. If we care about ending violence against women and girls, especially the Indigenous women and girls at greatest risk, and if we care about honouring the TRC's call to action, then we must care about this program and ensure it continues in the new year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Hay River North.

Masi. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize some people from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. I'd like to recognize in the gallery William Buggins. He's from Rocher River, so you will hear more about Rocher River later on this week. Caitlyn Beck from Ndilo, from Range Lake North School, is working with us here today, as a page. I have two interpreters interpreting for the languages from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh, Mary Rose Sundberg and Tom Unka from Fort Resolution. Mary Rose is from Detah. Thank you.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize Mayor Mark Heyck, from the City of Yellowknife, and Sara Brown. She's the executive director with the Northwest Territories Association of Communities, and I believe she's still a constituent, but I know that there's a larger delegation here, as well, on behalf of the Northwest Territories Association of Communities. I want to welcome them to the Chamber today. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize Charlie Furlong, long-term leader at the community level as well as the NWTAC, leadership level, and also Laura Boileau, William Greenland with the new day care program, who we just met yesterday with a very meaningful presentation, and also, Ernie Abel the executive director of the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize all the members of the Northwest Territories Association of Communities. I'd like to single out Donna Lee Jungkind, the deputy mayor of Hay River, and also Craig McMaster, the mayor of Enterprise. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Mr. Charlie Furlong from Aklavik, president of the NWT Association of Communities; Clarence Wood, councillor from Inuvik and a member of Inuvik Twin Lakes. I would also like to recognize Mayor Mark Heyck, a man that I've had the opportunity in the past to do a lot of work with; and the rest of the NWT Association of Communities. Although I'm not the Minister responsible anymore, I still support 33 Strong. Thank you.

Masi. I'd just like to remind Members that, if you're going to speak, wait until the light goes on on the microphone, just so we can keep records. Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize my constituent and uncle, the mayor of Aklavik and also former Chief of Aklavik for many years. Also, I'd like to recognize the mayor of Paulatuk, as well, Ray Ruben. When I first started in leadership, I sought these two leaders and learned a lot from them, and I'd just like to thank them for that. Mahsi.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Deh Cho.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize staff in A New Day program, Laura Boileau and Mr. William Greenland, and also I believe Mr. Roy Erasmus is in there. Also the leadership of the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre as well, Ernie Abel. Then also acknowledging of course the people from the Northwest Territories Association of Communities who I believe also include Mayor Craig McMaster from Enterprise. So welcome. Mahsi.